Fuel-controlling mechanism for internal-combustion engines



M. A. VAHNEY. FUEL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION EN GINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2. 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED APILZI, I9II.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. L32 a Ilm-HI- narran STATES PATENT orifice.

MERLE A. VARNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FUEL-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINESf 'To @ZZ 'whom t may concern.'

Y Be it known that I, MERLE A. VARNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county `of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuel-Controlling Mechamechanism for internal combustion engines and has to do more particularly with means for automatically switching from one fuel tov another, such asA from gasolene to kerosene, an object of my invention being toprovide mechanism of this character which is automatic in its control and positive in its operation.

In the ordinary combustion engine using electrical ignition it has been found that in starting, the heavier liquid fuels, such as kerosene, cannot be used, although after the engine and manifold have been heated up to the proper temperature such fuel may be used by passing it through a heated chamber so that it may be readily vaporized. Various means have been provided for starting the engine on a light, volatile, combustible liquid, such as gasolene, as fuel, until the parts have been sufficiently heated, at which time the supplied.

-One of the features of my invention is4 the provision of a thermostatically-con-A trolled electromagnetic device which is adapted to switch from gasolene to kerosene, and vice versa, as the temperature in the heating chamber around the kerosene intake manifold varies. That is, in starting the engine when it is cold the electromagnet is in such position that the kerosene is shut off and the gasolene on. The engine is then started in the usual manner, and as Soon as the heating chamber around't'he kerosene intake manifold becomes heated to a prede-y. termined temperature, the thermostat therein operates, closing a. circuit for the electromagnetic device which operates a valve to close the gasolene supply and `openkthe kerosene supply. If the temperature in the heating chamber drops to a predetermined point, forv instance, when the engine is stopped, the thermostat arm will move to its alternate position, again affecting tlielelecgasolene is shut off and kerosene Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 14, 1922. Application ined April 21, 1917. serial No.v 163,665.

`electromagnetic mechanism and circuit for controlling the valves.

Referring now more particularly to the preferred formA of my invention as shown herein, it comprises the usual exhaust manifold 1, an intake manifold 2, a gasolene car'- lbureter 3, a kerosene carbureter 4;, the usual heatingconnections 5 andl 6 extending from the exhaust manifold to the carbureters, and kerosene and gasolene supply-pipes 7 8, respectively, the kerosene pipe 8 being wound around the exhaust pipe, if desired, so as to warmA the kerosene before entering thc carbureter. These parts are, of course, used in connection with the engine.- The downwardly-extending portion 9 of the intake manifold is constructed at the bottom so as to take a gas'olene connecting-pipe 1() and kerosene connecting pipe 11,these pipes being fitted tightly through machined openings extending into the chamber 9. A heating chaniber'12 is provided for the intake manifold, preferably surrounding the kerosene intake pipe 1l so as -to heat the same s sene. This heating chamber 12 is connected by means of a pipe 13 of suitable dimensions vand extending from the exhaust manifold 1 ,to the chamber 12 the exhaust passing downwardly through the chamber 12 and out of the exhaust-pipe 14. The lower end of the heating chamber 12 is preferably closed by a cover 15 suitably secured thereto. rllhe ends of the intake pipes 10, .11 are machined and act as sea-ts' for the valve 16,

the kerosene side is closed by which valve is sup-ported upon a shaft 17 v carrying a slotted arm 18 upon its outer end. Thus, as the arm 18 is reciprocated, the valve 16 operates to open and close the kerosene and gasolene intakes. In Fig. 1,

the Valve 16, the dotted lines of 16 indicating its position when the gasolene side is closed.

.affects the electromagnet which controls the valve 21 within the pipe 13, thereby closing this valve 21 suiiiciently to maintain this chamber belowT the predetermined high temperature. If the valve 21 is partly closed and the temperature of the chamber 12 is reduced to the lower predetermined limit, the thermostat 20 closes its alternate contact and again actuates the electromagnetic device to open the valve 21. Thus, the temperature of the chamber 12 is maintained within predetermined limits.

Referring now to the electromagnetic control mechanism shown in Fig. 2, it includes the thermostat 19,. and electromagnetic mechanism A. This includes suitable electromagnets, an electromagnet 26 operating to open the kerosene intake andl close the gasolene intake, and electromagnet 27 op'- erating to open the gasolene intake and close the kerosene intake. An armature 28 is pivotally supported between the polar extensions of theelectromagnets and carries a pin 29 which extends into* the slot 30 o f the valve arm 18. Thus, as the armature 28 is moved back and forth, the valve arm 18 and valve 16 are operated accordingly.

'In order to hold the valve 16 in either position, I preferably provide mechanical locking means and circuit-interrupting means, so that when the armature is attracted in either direction the' circuit of the operating magnet is interrupted and the valve locked in its last-operated position. Thus a saving of current is effected, as the magnet has its circuit interrupted except during the short period ofoperation.

As shown in Fig. 2, the mechanism is in the position assumed thereby when the motor and heating elements 11, 23, 12are cold; that is, we might say when starting, with the valve 16 in its full line position andthe gasolene intake open and the kerosene intake closed, as shown in Fig. 1. To lock the armature 28, auxiliary armatures 31 and 32 are provided for the electromagnets. These armatures coperate with the pin 33 carried by the armature 28, this pin extending across the edge of the free end 34 of armature 31,

as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the armatureend 35 drops down behind the pin 33 into its dotted line position, lockin itselfy and 4interrupting the contact 36. This, of course,

interrupts the circuit of ma net 26, sothat current is not consumed until a further operation of the magnet is necessary. It will be noted that contact 37 of electromagnet 27 is open, while armature 28 is in its left-hand position, thus maintaining the circuit of magnet 27 interrupted. It will be noted that the armatures 31, 32 are normally grounded, while the ungrounded terminal of battery 38 is connected to the movable arm 39 of the thermostat, this arm being adapted to move between contacts 40, 41 in order to close the circuit through magnets 26, 27.

Operation: Referring now more in detail to the operation of my invention with the apparatus in the position assumed thereby when the engine is cold, as for instance in starting, and as illustrated in the drawings, the kerosene carbureter 4 is shut olf but the .gasolene carbureter 3 is connected, due to the position of valve 16. The valve magnets are as shown in Fig. 2. The engine is now started in the usual manner, being provided with fuel through the asolene carbureter 3, and as soon as the eating chamber 12 reaches a predetermined temperature the thermostat arm 39 closes contact 40 and establishes a circuit from battery 38 through contact 40, magnet 26, contact 36 and armature 32 to ground. Magnet 26 therefore first attracts auxiliary armature 31 moving end 34 clear of pin 33 after which armature 28 is attracted to magnet 26. As the armature 28 moves into its right-hand or dotted line position the pin 33 carried thereby permits auxiliary armature 32 to drop at its free end 35 into the dotted-line position, wherebyT the contact 36 is opened, interrupting the circuit of magnet 26, while the free end 35 of armature 31 locks armature 28 in its attracted position. The gasolene intake 10 is thus closed and the kerosene intake 11 opened. The engine now continues to run on the kerosene supply as long as the heating chamber 12 stays above a predetermined I the control provided herein the switching from gasolene to kerosene, and vice versa, is entirely automatic and manual manipulation of thefapparatus is unnecessary.

In order to prevent the heating chamber 12 from becoming too hot, I provide a second thermostat 20', which controls the valve 2l within the heating chamber supply-pipe 13, this valve 21 being controlled by electromagnetic mechanism similar to A. The armature 28 is connected t0 an arm .118 so that as the armature is reciprocated, the valve 21 is operated. The thermostat 20 is preferably adjusted so that its contact 41 is maintained closed as long as chamber 12 is below a predetermined limit of temperature. As' soon as the temperature of this chamber 12 rises above the predetermined point, its contact 40 is closed to operate electromagnet 26, which first operates the auxiliary armature 31 and thereafter armature 28 to actuate arm 118 and tlvius partly close valve 21. Should the temperature. of chamber 12 again drop below the predetermined point, thermostat 20 operates to close its contact 41 and thereby actuate electromagnet 27 to again open the valve 21. l

Thus, the temperature of chamber 12 is automatically maintained between predetermined.

limits.

While I have not shown the electromagnetic apparatus A mounted in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that it is suitably mounted to. coperate with the Valve( arms 18 and 118.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have chosen a preferred arrangement, but it is to be understood that I contemplate applying iny invention in other ways than that shown. Various changes and modifi-'cations will readily 'occur to those skilled in the art, and therefore I do not desire to be limited to the exact structure shown and described, but aim to cover all that which comes within the 'spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel Supply intakes therefor, one only of said intakes being provided one intake to another controlled by said thermostat.

2. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuelysupply intakes therefor, a heating chamber for one intake having a thermostat therein, the other of said intakes having no heating chamber, means for heating said chamber by the engine exhaust and an electromagnetically operated valve for switching from one intake to another controlled by said thermostat.

3. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising. an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, a valve for connecting said manifold with either supply intake, a heating chamber for one supply intake, having a thermostat therein for controlling the heat in said chamber, the other intake passing around said heating chamber, a pair of electromagnets alternatively operable to actuate said valve, and connections from said thermostat for controlling said electromagnets. U

4. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, a valve for connecting said manifold with either supply intake, a heating chamber for only one supply intake, a thermostat in said chamber having contacts alternately closed upon said chamber reaching predetermined upper and lower temperatures, and electromagnetic means controlled by said thermostat for operating said valve to connect one or other supply intake according to the temperature of said heating chamber.

5.' Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, a heating chamber for only one supply intake, a thermostat in said chamber for regulating the temperature in said chamber hav-ing contacts alternately closed upon said chamber reaching predeterminedupper and lower temperatures, a valve` for switching from one intake to another, and means controlled by said thermostat contacts for automatically operating said valve.

6. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold,two fuel supply intakes therefor, a fuel heating chamber for one intake having a thermostat therein,the other of said intakes avoiding said heating chamber, means for heating said chamber by the engine exhaust, the other of said intakes having no fuel heating means, an electromagnetically operated valve for switching from one intake to another controlled by said thermostat, and automatic means for regulating the temperature of the heating chamber.

i 7. Fuel controlling mechanism for intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, a valve for connecting said manifold with either supply intake, a fuel heating chamber for one supply intake, means for heating said chamber by the engine exhaust, a thermostat in said chamber having contacts alternately closed upon said chamber reaching predetermined upper and ,lower temperatures, electromagnetic means controlled by said thermostat for operating said valve to connect one or the other supply intake according to the temperature of said heating chamber, and means for regulating the temperature of the heating chamber.

8. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, a fuel heating chamber having a thermostat therein, means for conducting one only of the fuel supply intakes through the heating chamber so as to be heated thereby, and an electromagnet-ically operated valve for switching from one intake to another controlled by said thermostat. f

9. Fuel controlling. mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes there`- for, a fuel heating chamber, a conducting chamber extending through the heating chamber for connecting one only of said fuel supply intake.r with the manifold, a thermostat iu said fuel heating chamber having contacts alternately closed upon said heating chamber reaching predetermined upper and lower temperatures, a valve for switching from one intake to another, and means controlled by said thermostat for automatically operating said valves.

10. Fuel controlling mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an intake manifold, two fuel supply intakes therefor, 'aheating chamber surrounding one only of said` intakes a valve adapted to close either of said intakes, a thermostat adapted to control the movements of said valve and a second thermostat adapted .to regulate the temperature of said chamber'.

l1. In a device of the character described, thermostatically controlled valve mechanism comprising a thermostat having a plurality of contacts, an electromagnet controlled by each of said contacts, a valve operating armature pivotally mounted between and adapted to be attracted by either of said electromagnets, means for locking said armature in either of its operative positions, and automatic means for interrupting the circuit of either of said electromagnets after said electromagnet has attracted said armature.

12. In a device of the character described, thermostatically controlled valve mechanism comprising a thermostat having a plurality of contacts, an electromagnet controlled by each of said contacts, a valve operating armature pivotally mounted between and adapted to be attracted by either of said electromagnets,means for locking said armature in either of its operative positions comprising pivoted locking armatures, a lug on said first mentioned armature adapted to co` operate with said locking armatures and springs urging said locking armatures to locking position, said lookin armatures being moved to unlocking position by said electromagnets, and means for interrupting the circuit of either of said electromagnets after said electromagnet has attracted said armature.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MERLE A. VARNEY. 

